How to Get Free PMP Certification – Top Free Training Websites
By

The PMP (Project Management Professional) certification is one of the most respected qualifications in project management. It shows that you have the skills, experience, and knowledge to lead successful projects, making you more attractive to employers worldwide. With PMP certification, you can boost your career, earn higher salaries, and open up more job opportunities.

However, getting PMP certified can be costly. Many people are unable to afford the high prices for training and exam fees. That’s where free PMP certification training comes in. While you can’t get the official certification for free, there are many free resources that can help you prepare for the exam.

These free courses cover important project management topics and provide the knowledge you need to pass the exam. They can be a great way to study without spending a lot of money, and with the right effort, they can significantly increase your chances of success.

What is PMP Certification?

Definition and Scope

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a globally recognized qualification that validates a project manager’s skills and expertise. It covers key areas of project management, including initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and closing projects. Having this certification shows employers that you can manage projects effectively and deliver results.

Role of the Project Management Institute (PMI)

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is the leading global organization for project management professionals. PMI sets the standards for project management and administers the PMP certification. They provide training, resources, and guidelines for professionals looking to enhance their skills and achieve PMP certification.

Read Also >>>Remote Jobs for Stay-at-Home Moms

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the PMP exam, you must meet certain educational and experience prerequisites:

  • For those with a four-year degree: You need at least 3 years of project management experience and 35 hours of project management education.
  • For those without a degree (high school diploma or equivalent): You need 5 years of project management experience and 35 hours of education.

How to Get Ready for the Exam

To get ready for the PMP exam, it’s essential to study key areas covered in the PMBOK Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge), which includes topics like integration, scope, time, cost, quality, and risk management. You can prepare using free online resources, practice exams, and study guides. The exam itself consists of 200 multiple-choice questions.

Why It’s Crucial for Career Advancement

The PMP certification is vital for career advancement because it boosts your credibility and marketability as a project manager. Many organizations prefer PMP-certified professionals due to their proven ability to manage complex projects successfully. It can lead to higher-paying jobs, promotions, and more career opportunities across industries globally.

Top 6 Free PMP Certification Training Websites

1. Project Management Institute (PMI)

The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers free resources that are highly valuable for anyone preparing for the PMP exam. These resources include free webinars, study guides, and exam tips that cover core project management topics aligned with the PMBOK Guide. PMI also offers webinars and articles from experienced project managers, which are excellent for brushing up on exam concepts.

For PMI Members: If you are a PMI member, you gain access to additional resources like detailed PMP exam prep courses, practice tests, and more comprehensive guides for free, which can significantly boost your preparation.

Pros:

  • Directly aligned with PMI’s PMP exam content, ensuring that you are learning exactly what will appear on the exam.
  • Free access to webinars, study materials, and guidance from industry experts.
  • Well-recognized and trusted source in the field of project management.

Cons:

  • The free resources are limited in scope compared to the full, paid courses. They may not cover everything needed for the exam in depth.
  • Limited interaction with instructors compared to other platforms offering more interactive courses.

2. Simplilearn’s Skillup (Free PMP Training)

Skillup by Simplilearn offers free PMP exam prep resources that are designed to give you a solid foundation for the exam. This includes video lessons, quizzes, and practice exams. The course structure is flexible and self-paced, meaning you can study at your own pace without time constraints.

Pros:

  • High-quality content from a well-known training provider, which includes video lessons, quizzes, and practice exams.
  • Provides a solid foundation in project management concepts, making it a great starting point for PMP exam prep.
  • Self-paced, meaning you can study as per your own schedule.

Cons:

  • The free course offers limited instructor interaction, which may make it harder to get personalized feedback on complex topics.
  • Lacks the depth and breadth of a fully-fledged paid course.

3. Coursera’s Free PMP Exam Preparation (University of California, Irvine)

Coursera offers a free PMP exam preparation course through the University of California, Irvine. This course includes a combination of videos, reading materials, and quizzes to help you understand the project management concepts needed for the PMP exam. While the course is free, the certificate awarded upon completion is not an official PMP certification, but it does help build knowledge and understanding.

Pros:

  • Offers high-quality academic content from a reputed university, ensuring you get a solid educational foundation.
  • Opportunity to network with other learners through the Coursera platform’s community features.

Cons:

  • The certificate earned is not recognized as the official PMP certification, which may be misleading.
  • The free course may not be as comprehensive as a paid, full PMP exam prep course.

4. Udemy Free PMP Training (Various Instructors)

Udemy offers several free PMP training courses taught by various instructors. These courses typically include video lectures, quizzes, and exams that focus on key aspects of project management. The courses can vary in quality, as different instructors design them.

Pros:

  • Wide variety of course choices, allowing you to pick one that suits your learning style.
  • Easy access to free courses with no signup cost, and the ability to start immediately.

Cons:

  • Quality varies depending on the instructor. Some courses might not be as in-depth or well-structured as others.
  • You may need to combine several courses to cover all necessary topics for the PMP exam.

5. Master of Project Academy Free PMP Training

Master of Project Academy offers free PMP training that includes detailed explanations, interactive resources, and mock exams. The content is designed to give you a clear understanding of project management concepts and how they apply to the PMP exam. Although there’s a paid membership for full access, the free version provides enough material to build a strong base.

Pros:

  • Detailed explanations of complex topics by certified PMPs, which can help demystify difficult concepts.
  • Well-structured, easy-to-follow content that is designed to prepare you for the exam.
  • Interactive quizzes and mock exams allow you to test your knowledge.

Cons:

  • Limited course access unless you opt for a paid membership, meaning you might not get access to all materials.
  • Some features may be restricted in the free course, requiring a paid subscription to unlock the full content.

6. Free PMP Prep Course by Project Management Training Institute (PMTI)

The Project Management Training Institute (PMTI) offers a free PMP prep course that includes live virtual classes and recorded webinars. The course covers the PMBOK Guide, important project management processes, and real-world case studies, which makes it a more hands-on approach to preparing for the exam. The course duration and topics covered are comprehensive, and it can provide a good foundation for the exam.

Pros:

  • Offers hands-on training with real-world case studies, making the learning experience more practical.
  • Access to live virtual classes and recorded webinars for more interactive learning.

Cons:

  • Limited availability, and registration can be highly competitive, so spots may fill up quickly.
  • The free course has limited slots, and not all learners will get access to the live classes.

Each of these free training platforms provides valuable resources, but it’s important to understand the limitations of free courses, such as limited depth, lack of official certification, or restricted access to advanced features. To get the most out of these platforms, it’s a good idea to combine multiple resources, whether free or paid, for a well-rounded preparation experience.

Read Also >>> Get Remote Job without Experience

How Free PMP Training Prepares You for the PMP Exam

Course Structure and Exam Prep

Free PMP training programs generally cover all the major exam domains: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing. These are the five process groups of project management, and understanding them is crucial for passing the PMP exam. The free resources, like video lessons, quizzes, and practice exams, help you break down each of these areas.

Here’s how free PMP training prepares you:

  • Initiating: You’ll learn how to define and start projects, including creating project charters and identifying stakeholders.
  • Planning: Focuses on creating comprehensive project plans, covering scope, timelines, resources, and risks.
  • Executing: You’ll explore managing project teams, stakeholders, and resources to execute plans.
  • Monitoring and Controlling: This covers tracking project progress, making adjustments, and ensuring that everything stays on track.
  • Closing: You’ll learn how to close projects by completing deliverables, obtaining approvals, and closing contracts.

While free courses provide a great starting point, there are certain key skills and knowledge areas you’ll need to focus on, such as:

  • Project integration and scope management.
  • Time and cost management techniques.
  • Risk management and procurement processes.
  • Leadership and communication skills essential for managing teams and stakeholders.

Additional Resources for Full Exam Preparation

Free PMP training is excellent for building foundational knowledge, but to fully prepare for the exam, you may need additional resources like:

  • Mock Exams: Many websites offer free PMP practice exams that simulate the actual test environment, allowing you to assess your readiness.
  • Study Guides: You can find downloadable PMP study guides on various project management websites, which provide detailed explanations of the exam domains and concepts.
  • Project Management Blogs: There are several reputable blogs where PMP-certified professionals share tips, study strategies, and industry insights. These can help you stay updated and learn from others’ experiences.

While free training lays a strong foundation, complementing it with these additional resources will ensure you are fully prepared for the PMP exam. Combining study materials, practice exams, and expert advice gives you a holistic approach to passing the test.

Can I Get PMP Certification for Free?

While free PMP training resources can significantly help you prepare for the exam, PMP certification itself is not free. The official PMP exam, which is administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), comes with an associated fee. Here’s a breakdown of the costs:

  • For PMI members: The exam fee is typically $405.
  • For non-members: The fee is $555.

PMI membership costs around $129 annually, and while it adds some extra cost, it offers benefits such as discounted exam fees and access to additional resources, which can make the overall process more affordable.

The Reality of Free PMP Training

Free PMP training is a great way to prepare for the exam, but it’s important to understand its limitations:

  • What free courses can do: These courses provide the foundational knowledge required for the exam. You’ll have access to study materials, video lessons, and practice exams that will help you get comfortable with the PMP exam’s structure and content.
  • What free courses cannot do: Free courses do not provide the actual PMP certification. They do not cover the certification fee, nor do they directly award you the PMP credential. Passing the PMP exam is the only way to earn the official PMP certification, and that requires paying the exam fee.

In summary, while free training can set you up for success by equipping you with the necessary knowledge, the official certification will still require you to pass the exam and pay the associated fees.

Conclusion

Free PMP training resources offer different learning styles, from videos and quizzes to live sessions and academic content. Each resource helps you prepare for the exam in your preferred way, whether through PMI’s official materials or platforms like Simplilearn, Coursera, and Udemy.

To fully prepare, combine free resources with paid materials. Free courses provide the basics, but paid content offers more structure and support for a deeper understanding.

The PMP exam fee is a smart investment for your career. Certification opens doors to better job opportunities, higher earning potential, and long-term career growth.

FAQs

Is Free PMP Certification Training Enough to Pass the Exam?
Free training can help you prepare, but it might not be enough on its own. It’s recommended to combine free resources with paid study materials for complete preparation.

What Are the Best Free Resources for PMP Exam Prep?
Some of the best free resources include PMI’s official materials, Simplilearn’s Skillup, Coursera’s free courses, and Udemy’s free PMP training.

Can I Get the PMP Exam for Free?
No, the PMP exam itself is not free. You need to pay the exam fee, which varies depending on your PMI membership status.